# LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.* 

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I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. | 




Perfect Model of the 

LONGBREED, OR FRENCH CANARY. 



^f^^S ^ THE 

Bird Fancier's 
companion; 

OR, 

NATURAL HISTORY OF CAGE BIRDS; 



FOOD, MANAGEMENT, HABITS, TREAT- 
MENT, DISEASES, ETC., ETC. 



BY 

CHARLES BE I CHE, 

Late of Braunschweig, Germany. 



TENTH EDITION. 



„ None so merry, so merry as we.* 



PUBLISCHED BY CHARLES REICHE & BROTHER, 

At their Bird, Animal, Seed, and Cage Stores, 

65 Chatham Street, New York, and 9 Bowdoin Square, Boston. 

1871. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by 

CHARLES REICHE & BROS., 
In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Contents, v 

Introduction, vii 

Disorders, 9 

EUROPEAN CAGE BIRDS. 

The German Canary, 14 

Treatment, 19 

Breeding, 21 

The French, or Long-Breed Canary, 26 

Bullfinch, 30 

Goldfinch, 33 

Siskin, 34 

Linnet (Gray), 35 

Linnet (Green), 37 

Chaffinch, 3;;^ 

Nightingale, 38 

Black Cap, 43 

Sky Lark, 44 

Wood Lark 46 

Robin Red Breast, 47 

Thrush, 49 

Starlings 51 

Black Bird, 52 



VI 



AMERICAN BIRDS. 

Page. 

The Mocking Bird, 53 

„ Blue Robin, 55 

„ Baltimore Oriole, 56 

„ Cat Bird, or Black Capped Thrush, 57 

„ Blue Jay, 57 

„ Red Breasted Grossbeak, 58 

„ Red Wing Starling, 59 

„ Red Bird, or Virginia Nightingale, 60 

„ Blue, or Indigo Bird, 61 

„ Nonpareil, 62 

„ Bob-o-link, 62 

„ Yellow- Bird, or American Goldfinch, 63 

OTHER FOREIGN BIRDS. 

The South American Troopial, 63 

„ Java Sparrow, 64 

„ Amandava, or Averdavet, 65 

PARROTS. 

The Gray, or African Parrot, 67 

„ Yellow Headed Green Parrot, 67 

„ Common Yellow-Headed Parrot, 67 

„ West India Parrot, 68 

General Remarks, 69 

Charles Reiche & Pro's, Catalogue, 70 



INTRODUCTION. 



We all love Birds — Song birds especially. How can 
we help it ? Are they not the most lovely and joyous of 
all God's creatures ; and such fitting companions for our 
parlors, delighting us, as they do, with their charming and 
sweet harmony ? And what can be more pleasant to the 
lovers of the beauty of nature, than to study their innocent 
and amusing habits ; True as this is, we should at the 
same time not forget that, to enjoy this pleasure, these 
little warblers have to become our prisoners, and can only 
look to us for their necessaries. It is, consequently, our 
first duty to make their situation as comfortable as possible. 
To effect this, it is absolutely necessary to be acquainted 
with the proper treatment for such as we have selected 
for our fancy. This surely requires Some knowledge of 
which many persons are quite ignorant, especially of the 
European birds. This has induced me to draw up the fol- 
lowing pages for the use of those who take delight in 
rearing them. 

Having been brought up in the midst of these sweet 
songsters, in Germany ; and always taken great delight in 
rearing them, from my youth ; and been dealing in them, in 



VIU 



this country, nearly ten years, (having, during that time, 
brought over above twenty thousand birds,) it must be 
quite evident to every person, that I have had many oppor- 
tunities to gather every information respecting their singing 
qualities and general treatment. 

I now send forth this little book tho the American Bird 
Fancier, (with all its errors upon its head,) as well for their 
information and entertainment, as for my own reputation 
(and, I hope, profit) as a dealer in this department of Natu- 
ral History, — hoping it will prove a useful and interesting 
{multum in parvo) volume, not only to the owner of cage 
birds, but also to the general reader, to while away a lonely 
hour, reading the history, habits, &c., &c., of those dehghtful 
specimens of God's wonderful v/orks of nature. 

I remain, very respectfully, 

THE AUTHOR. 

New York, March, 1853. 




DISORDERS 



Birds, when properly taken care of, will seldom be 
attacked with any disease ; I would, therefore, above 
all, recommend punctuality in feeding, and cleanliness; 
and most assuredly say that, nine times out of ten, if a 
bird take sick, it is by neglect of the above simple pre- 
cautions. One thing is very essential : that is, to be 
very particular in selecting the seed given to them, 
which is fully particularized under the head of Treat- 
ment of the Canary. (See page 19). * 

1. Moulting. — The most of our cage birds shed their 
feathers yearly, in the month of September or October, 
lasting, with a healthy bird, from two to four weeks ; 
and, though natural, it generally is accompanied with 
disease. They must at this time, be particularly taken 
care of. Being so much more bare of feathers, they are 
consequently more liable to take cold; should, there- 
fore, be kept in rather a warmer place than usual ; and 
above all, protect them from a draught of air. A good 
deal of room to fly about enables them to drop their 
feathers more easy. It is well to see that they do not 
get out of food, as they eat more when under the influ- 
ence of moulting ; and their food should be varied. For 
those birds that live on seeds, plenty of green food, some 
I 



10 



bread and milk, and a little smoked bacon, scraped off 
with a knife, is very healthy. And for soft-bill birds, a 
meal worm dipped in sweet oil, some berries, and ant's 
eggs. Plenty of water for bathing schould be given 
them. Birds that roll in sand (instead of bathing in 
water), such as larks, quails, &c., require plenty of very 
dry gravel. 

If it happens that the wing or tail feathers do not 
drop, they may be pulled out, two or three every day. 
Some birds change their feathers twice a-year, (fall and 
spring.) These change their color also, being much 
handsomer in summer than in winter. They are chiefly 
natives of warm climates. 

2. yen?iin. — A great trouble to birds in confinement, 
are insects (small lice, of a reddish color), which often 
cause the death of a bird, though persons do not know 
what is the matter with them. They are generally 
produced by uncleanliness, and will, particularly in a 
wooden cage, increase very fast. The symptoms are, 
that when the bird, during the day, is observed to be 
often picking itself, and the wing and shoulders becom- 
ing bald, the crevices and joinings of their cage becom- 
ing dirty outside. The insects hide themselves during 
the day, in those crevices, &c., creep out at night, crawl 
up to the birds, and torment them most unmercifully. 
They will suck the blood out of them, and prevent the 
poor things from resting all night. The bird thus tor- 
mented, will appear dull and heavy during the day; 
ceases singing ; and if relief be not given them, it very 
often causes- their death. 



11 



It is easier to guard against these insects, than to get 

rid of them when once nestled. Persons purchasing i 
cages should, therefore, be careful to have them per- 
fectly new; and then, by keeping them clean, with 
plenty of dry gravel on the bottom of the cage, and a 

daily bath for the bird, there is but little danger of being i 

troubled with the above. , , ^ 

If, however, by neglect of these precautions, insects \ 

should have got into the cage, it is best to put the bird i 
into a clean one, and let the infected one be scaldet. 

In the winter season, leaving it out a night or two ; 
will answer the same purpose. 

I have found the use of hollow sticks, or reeds, as '■ 

perches, to be a great preventative of these troublesome ■ 

insects increasing, as they creep and hide themselves in \ 
these hollows ' during the day; so that taking them 

out occasionally, and scalding them, is sure to destroy : 
the insects. Those perches then may be replaced. All 

other remedies, I have found to be of little account \ 

i 

3. Epilepsy. — Too rich food is generally the cause of ! 

this desease. The bird, when attacked by it, should be i 

dipped into cold water ; or blooded, which is done by j 

cutting the hind claw, just far enough to draw blood, i 
then holding the foot in lukewarm water, till it ceases 

bleeding. i 

i 

4. Co7isumptio?i. — This disease is more common in 
birds (especially canaries) than any other. The symp- ; 
toms differ : sometimes the feathers on the bird sticking i 



12 



out, and its eating an unusual quantity; the eyes look- 
ing heavy, &c. At another time giving a kind of hiccup, 
appearing as if it had something sticking in its throat, 
which it would like to have removed. If any of these 
symptoms appear, some green food, such as lettuce, 
chickweed, cabbage, or sweet apple, according to the 
season ; some stale bread, soaket in water, well pressed, 
and mixed with fresh cream ; a frequent bath ; and a 
rusty iron nail in their drinking water, are what we 
recommend. 

5. Asthma^ or hard breathing. — This is generally 
brought on by keeping a bird in too warm, or unventi- 
lated, a room ; where the delicate lungs of these little 
creatures get injured. Soft food, such as soaket sum- 
mer rape seed ; bread boiled in milk ; and less canary 
seed than usual, — these we have found to be the best 
remedy. 

We have also found linseed tea, made very thin, to 
be good, both for asthma and consumption, in healing 
the affected parts. It is given to them, for a day or 
two, instead of water : and renewed after a few days if 
not found effective. 

6. Costiveness. — This is discovered when the bird is 
unable to relieve itself. In such case, it should be taken 
out of the cage, and a drop of castor oil administered to 
it, by opening its bill, and dropping it in ; be sure you 
observe that the bird has swallowed it. Or a small 
quantity of rhubarb (pulverised), about the size of a 



13 



grain of canary seed, mixed with soaket bread and 
sugar. This they will eat freely, being sweet. If the 
disease is light, plenty of green food will generally re- 
move it. 

For soft-hill birds, a few meal worms, dipped in 
sweet oil, will have the desired effect. 

7. Hoarse7iess, or loss of voice. — This sometimes 
comes on by the bird taking cold, or oversinging itself 
Rock candy, pounded very fine, put into their drinking 
water, or mixed with the yolk of a hard-boiled egg, 
addet to their food, is very good. If the bird is disco- 
vered to be sneezing, and his nostrils stopped up, they 
may be cleared by passing a small quill, pulled out of 
their wing, through it. 

8. The Rump Gla?id. — This gland, which is on the 
rump, contains the oil for anointing the feathers. People 
ignorant of this fact, call it a disease, and often open it 
to let out the matter. This is quite wrong, as it is ne- 
cessary for all birds, and nature has taught them to 
manage it themselves. If the bird gets sick, the gland 
sometimes becomes swollen, by the bird not being able 
to extract the oil. In this case, it is well to pull a few 
feathers from each side of the tail; if necessary, the 
whole. The new feathers growing out of the tail again, 
will then draw oil enough to relieve the bird. 



EUROPEAIV SOAG BIRDS. 



THE CANAEY. 

„TIIE UNIVEKSAL PARLOR BIRD." 

This bird has its origin from the Canary Islands, 
where its color is of a greenish gray, but has, owing to its 
domestication, changed into a much more beautiful 
plumage. We now find some of a greenish gray ; 
some yellow spotted, some light yellow, and some deep 
yellow. The latter color is generally the most admired. 

They were first introduced into Europe about the 
sixteenth century,* where their notes, particularly in 
Germany, were greatly improved, by raising them in 
rooms, where other birds, such as nightingales, wood- 
larks, sky-larks, &c., &c., were commonly kept. Adding 

* The arrival of the canary into Europe is thus described, 
A vessel which besides its merchandise, was bringing a num- 
ber of these birds to Leghorn, was shipwrecked on the coast 
of Italy, opposite the Island of Elba, where these little birds, 
having been set at liberty, took refuge. The climate being 
favorable, they increased and would have become natural- 
ized, had not the wish to possess them occasioned their being 
caught in such numbers, that at last they were extirpated 
from their country. From this cause, Italy was the first 
European country where the canary was reared. 



15 

j 
to this by a frequent use of a little pipe or other instru- i 
ment played to them, the young ones had sufficient op- ' 
portunity of being fully educated. They would take \ 
some notes from each bird in whose neighborhood they 
happened to be located ; and by agreeably mixing these 
notes, the canary has attained such a beautiful and varied i 
song, which each family transmits to its descendants. ! 

When the composed song of the canary was thought ' 
completed, the use of other birds was not deemed 
necessary, as the young ones now learned from their i 
parents ! but great care has been taken to hold up the ; 
most agreeable and varied song, also to avoid all false 
and unpleasant notes, which the bird, on hearing, is 
very apt to take up. Instead of a succession of noisy 
bursts, the bird must know how, with a silvery, sono- 
rous voice, to descend regularly through all the tones of ■ 
the octave. The most admired notes are the bow-trill ; 
(bow-roll), the bell note, the flute, the water-bubble, the ; 
nightingale note, wood-lark note, &c. ; the whole song i 
must consist of about twenty different notes. It is neces- 
sa.Ty that, to raise such birds, the breeder must be a good . 
judge himself; he must look out not to put any birds to i 
breed who have unpleasant notes ; he must also keep one I 
or two of the very best singers in a single cage near the • 
breeding-room, which will be the teachers of the young. 
Owing to long practice and experience, the German 
breeders have been able to gather much informaction , 
respecting their singing qualities and general manage- j 
ment. This is the reason that the German canaries are ■ 
much superior in singing to any others. 



16 



The best singers have been raised, within the last 
century, on the Harz Mountain, in the kingdom of 
Hanover, and in Thuringia, in Saxony, and have be- 
come quite an article of merchandise. They raise an- 
nually no less than fifty thousand in that country 
which are disposed of over the greater part of the earth, 
and sometimes at extraordinary prices. In the present 
year (1853), there were no less than ten thousand 
German canaries brought over to the United States.* 

The manner they are bred there is as follows : a room 
of about 10 to 15 feet square is chosen ; plenty of nest- 
boxes are hung around the walls, and perches placed 
across the room. Then they put in 6 to 10 males, and 
about three times as many females. The month of March 
is when they are mated, so as to have three or four 
broods, one each month in succession. 

The young ones, so soon as they are able to feed 
themselves, are taken away and put into another room, 
where they are left flying about until the dealer makes 
his purchase — which is as soon as they are done shed- 
ding, and fit to be transported, say in the month of 
October. The dealer now examines the birds and se- 
lects those he thinks best suited for his market; as to 
the price, it varies according to the singing qualities 
and plumage, often bringing nearly double as much as 
the general run. This always raises a great excitement 

* Since the above, the fancy has increased so much in this 
country, that in the last year, 1871, sixty thousand canary 
birds found their way to this market, of which forty eight 
thousand were imported by ourselves. 



17 



among the breeders, as all dealers are anxious to procure 
the best birds, so as to dispose of them at higher prices. 
If there is one breeder known to possess superior 
birds over another in the place, the latter tries watchfully 
to procure some of the former's stock, and if successful 
in doing so, is compelled to pay a very high price. 

This desire to procure some of those first-rate birds 
is often carried to a great extent. 

There has been lately a great number of canaries 
raised in this country, but the breeders, not having the 
opportunity, as they have in Germany, of introducing the 
young ones into the society of the nightingale, the sky- 
lark, &c., &c., have failed of producing such very sweet 
singers — although considered by many to be equal. 
Their notes are generally so shrill and unpleasant that 
many cannot bear them in the room with them. 

The qualities of the canary, such as its melodious 
song, beautiful plumage, and docility, have long made it a 
great favorite. If this bird were not so common among us, 
we would appreciate it more than we do. What can be 
more delightful on a winter's day, when confined to our 
room by the weather, or any other cause, than to have a 
couple of those sweet warblers, who seem to thake par- 
ticular delight to cheer us with their song, as if by instinct 
they knew we wanted something to enliven us, and cause 
the time to pass away more cheerfully ? Or, again, what 
can be more amusing than to have a pair of them breed- 
ing, to obseve how active they are in building their nest, 
how attentive to their young ones ; how quick they come 
down to the cup when fresh food is put in, take a beakful, 



18 



and fly off again to their little ones, to feed them, before 
they eat any themseves ? 

TO A CANARY BIRD. 

God bless thee and thy joyous throat 
Thy trill, thy churr, thy piercing note 

My tweet Canary. 
Thou gush of song, thou waterbrook 
Of joy, thou poem, doctrine, boock. 

Vocabulary : 
Thou caged up treasure of delight ! 
That knowst to make a prison bright, 

Through music's mystery ; 
To — swell thy rich notes in full tide 
Anon, the highest reach of sound divide 

Like Paganini. 
"Where did'st thou gain this wondrous lore ? 
Where that, which I admire yet more, 

The glad Philosophy. 
That smiles at iron bars and doors, — 
In loneliness a spirit pours 
Of mirthful minstrelsy. 

LINES ON A BIRD'S NESS. 
,, But most of all it wins my admiration, 
To wiew the structure of this little work, 
A bird's Nest. Mark it well, within, without : 
No tool had he that wrought, no knife to cut, 
No neil to fix, no bodkin to insert. 
No glue to join : his little beak was all ; 
And yet how neatly finished! What nice hand, 
Whit every implement and means of art, 
An twenty years' apprenticeship to boot, 
Could make me such another? Fondly, then, 
We boast of excellence, whose noblest skill 
Instinktive genius foils." 



19 



THEIR TREATMENT. 



Although the canar}', as a domesticated bird, is the 
easiest of all others to take care of, his treatment the 
most simple, and certainly the best known, notwith- 
standing this, there are many persons whose idea on 
this subject is but very limited, and what is worse, very 
erroneous. As to their food, the more simple and nat- 
ural r have always found to be the most productive of 
good health and cheerfulness : while, on the other 
hand, I have invariably found that mixtures, introduced 
by many, such as rape, millet, hemp, canary, poppy, 
lettuce, oatmeal, oats, sugar, sweet-cake, biscuit, and 
such like, so far from being wholesome, is very inju- 
rious : it spoils their taste for their natural food, weak- 
ens the stomach, renders them feeble, sickly, and inca- 
pable of bearing moulting, under which they frequently 
die. I have kwown in Germany many persons who 
breed birds for sale, who are poor, and cannot afford to 
procure these delicacies, and therefore obliged to feed 
their birds on the most simple food, which is rape-seed 
alone, raise great numbers of the most healthy and 
strong birds. I have found the best food to be a mix- 
ture of rape and canary seed. A little fresh green food, 
such as chick-weed, lettuce, or cabbage, in season, or 
sweet apple in winter, will be found very healthy. 

The MAIN POINT is to obtain pure and fresh seed 
for them. Rape seed, when old, or kept too long in a 
damp place, becomes musty, gets a bitter taste, and 
won't agree at all with birds. The canary seed must be 



20 



clean and of a glossy hue, feel heavy, be free from 
musty smell, and have a sweet taste. 

The best rape-seed is the German summer rape ; this 
has a nut-like flavor in distinction from the English 
rape, which tastes somewhat like mustard. 

The cage must be daily supplied with fresh water, 
both for bathing and drinking, and their cage cleaned 
out at least once a week, and the bottom covered over 
with dry gravel, which birds will freely pick, and which 
helps digestion. Their perches should be kept clean. 
Their feet must be occasionally examined, and if found 
dirty, the bird should be carefully taken out of the cage, 
the feet soaked in lukewarm water, and the dirt washed 
off. In catching a bird for the above operation it is 
well to darken the cage first to prevent him being 
frightened. The claws, if too long, should be cut with 
a sharp scissors, but care should be taken not to draw 
blood ; the same with an overgrown bill. Persons 
keeping canaries for their singing only, should keep 
them in cages of about a foot in diameter, either round 
or square ; as in a large cage they will not sing so well 
or constant, having to much room to fiy about and 
amuse themselves, which in a great degree takes away 
their attention from singing. It is not necessary to 
keep these birds in a very warm room in the winter 
season, as they can endure a great deal of cold without 
injury; but they should be kept in as equal a tem- 
perature as possible, and not removed from a cold 
room to a warm one, or vice versa. They should be 
hung where they will be free from a draught, which is 



21 



likely to give them cold. It is very good to keep the 
bird in the summer season, during the day, in the fresh 
air, but should be taken indoors when it is at all likely 
to storm ; they should also be shaded from a very hot 
sun. Many persons are apt to hang these birds out in 
the spring and fall, when the weather is rough and 
cold, or in the summer, when excessively warm in a hot 
sun, against a wall which attracts heat, without the 
least covering over their cages ; birds cannot live 
under such careless treatment; and it causes much trou- 
ble and annoyance to the owner as well as those who 
sold them, as they get sickly and delicate ; persons 
then think they have been imposed upon by obtaining a 
bad bird. These things should not be so. 

BREEDING. 

This is a very important item, as well as amusing, 
in the hystory of the canary, as there is no bird so easily 
reared in the cage ; at the same time requiring some 
knowledge for the proper management. Birds for this 
purpose should be selected in good healthy condition ; 
they should not be over six years old. The male birds 
for this occasion may be kept in small cages, so that we 
may enjoy their song fully until the breeding season 
comes round. But the females should be left hying in 
a large cage, so as to give them plenty of room to exer- 
cise ; this prepares them for the purpose intendet.^^ If 

* When, in the mating season, several male and female 
canaries are kept in one room, so that they can see and hear 



22 



intended to breed several birds in a room flying about, 
two or three females may be put to every male, the 
nest-boxes hung round the room — two for each female, 
as they will commence building the nest for the second 
brood in a fresh box, before the first young ones leave 
the nest they were hatched in. Sufficient perches must 
be placed in the room, and some of them low enough to 
enable the young ones, which have just left their nests, 
to fly up to them. Plenty of stuff for nesting, such as 
deer's hair, fine moss, manilla cut up to about an inch 
in length, paper shavings, &c., should be strewed on the 
floor. As soon as the young ones ace enabled to feed 
themselves, they should be removed from the room, as 
they are apt to annoy the younger brood. 

To breed them in a cage, I would recommend but 

each other, it is often the case that some of them will mate 
together, although they are separate from each other. Now 
if all these birds are let loose in a room to breed together, 
nothing will hinder the union of those that are already ma- 
ted. But when we put them by the pairs to breed in single 
cages, it is but seldom that we just happen to place those 
mated ones together. The consequence then is, that such 
male generally dislikes the females that are put with him, 
always longing for his old mate, which he sees in with an- 
other bird ; and she, hkewise, is indifferent to the male that 
is put in with her. Under such circumstances, it is no won- 
der if the breeder is unsuccessful in raising a great number 
of birds. We therefore recommend any persons that wishes 
to breed more than one pair in cages, to place them, before 
the breeding season commences, so that the males and fe- 
males can neither see nor hear each other. 



23 



one female to one male,, for two females will seldom agree 
well together. The breeding cage must be at least 
two feet long, bight and depth in proportion, hung up 
in a quiet place out of view, and disturbed as little as 
possible. The nest-boxes are best of tin or wire, as 
wooden ones are more liable to create insects, which 
are very annoying to the little birds, and often cause 
their death. To- prevent this, it is well, as soon as the 
young ones are hatched, to make a fresh nest for them 
and remove them carefully into it, and let the old nest 
be thrown away. 

A short time before the birds are put to breed, we 
should commence feeding them with higher food, such 
as hard boiled egg, chopped up fine, white and yolk to- 
gether ; this, of course, to be exclusive of their general 
seed. 

Some birds have defects ; for instance, some males 
are dull and melancholy, always sad and seldom singing, 
indifferent to their mates, which are equally so to them. 
Others are so passionate, that they beat and even some- 
times kill their mate and their young. Some are too 
ardent, and annoy their mate w^hile she in sitting on the 
nest — destroying the eggs, tear the nest, or excite the 
female so much that they often abandon their little 
flock. Some females, in like manner are so. ardent, that 
as soon as they lay their eggs, they abandon them with- 
out sitting at all. Others again, neglect to feed their 
young ones; beat them, and pick out their feathers. 
Vexing as this may be, yet there is no remedy to cure 
these defects ; the best plan is to remove the vicious 



24 



bird and put another in its place. Good birds, when 
put together, will generally mate within a week, which 
is easily known by their attention to each other. After 
mating, they commence building the nest, and in 
about a week the hen begins to lay, from 2 to 6 eggs, 
one each day in succession, on which she will sit 13 
days, when the young ones will come out, one after 
the other. It is wrong to take the eggs from under her 
while she is laying, as many ignorantly do, for the pur- 
pose of hatching them at one time ; it is best to let 
nature have its way in this case. 

As soon as the little ones are hatched they may be 
fed, besides their general seed, with the following food : 
egg, boiled hard, chopped up fine, and an equal quantity 
of grated cracker, mixed together with the egg into a 
paste. This food must be given to them fresh three or 
four times a day; for the old birds will be more inclined 
to feed the 5^oung when fresh food is handed them. An 
extra cup should be handed them containing soaked 
rape-seed. They also require fresh green food daily. If 
the old ones will not feed the young, they may be brought 
up by hand.* When the young birds feed themselves, 

* The nest to be taken out of the cage, or room, kept 
in a warm place, and fed about every hour with a quill 
spoonful of the above mentioned paste ; to which should be 
added some rape-seed, soaket in warm water for at least an 
hour ; than the water drained off and the seed well bruised 
on a board, so as to separate the hulls from the kernels ; 
then the kernels mixed together with the paste. Two or 
three quill-spoonfulls is sufficient at a time. 



25 



and are put into another apartment, they must still for a 
short time be supplied with the soft food above mention- 
ed ; for their digestive organs are rather weak as yet. 
In about a month this may be dropped off gradually. 

The young males will comm.ence warbling as soon 
as they leave the nest, and improve daily for 8 or 9 
months, when their singing quality will depend very 
much upon the birds they are placed near.* 

The male bird is distinguished from the female by 
having a larger and flatter head ; its color, particularly 
around the eye, is of a brighter hue, and its action also 
differs from the female ; these distinctions, however, are 
only known by an experienced judge. 

The canary will breed with other birds, such as gold- 
finches, linnets, and siskins : for this purpose we must 
take a female canary and a male of one of the above 
species ; for a female of the latter cannot be induced to- 
lay in an artificial nest. 

* If you want to learn them a particular air from an- 
organ, or other instrument, they must be put, when very 
young, into a separate apartment, in a dark place, out of 
hearing of any birds, and the air played to them several 
times a day. 



26 



THE LONG BREED, 

OR FRENCH CANARY. 

This bird is not as generally known as the common 
canary, not being very many years introduced into this 
country. We will, therefore, try and give a correct ac- 
count of its origin and history. 

The canary may, as well as any other domesticated 
animal, be improved in shape and size by a certain way 
of mating them. The idea of this plan of improvement 
was first thought of in Belgium and France — from which 
circumstance they are commonly called French or Bel- 
gian canaries. 

While the fanciers and breeders of Germany were 
desirous of improving the song, those in France and 
Belgium were equally desirous of improving their size 
and form. For this purpose they selected the largest 
male and female for breeding: by this method, after 
years of care and study, they were enabled to produce 
these birds to the length of seven inches to seven and a 
half; this, however, being the longest point achieved. 
The general length of the canary is five inches. The im- 
provement in length being conquered, their next view 
was to improve their shape. 

For this purpose they mated those male and female 
birds which came nearest the form they wished to 
produce, the model of which was as follows ; the head 
small and round; neck thin, projecting in from the 
back ; shoulders high, and the back from thence to the 



27 



end of the tail a bow-like form; the chest projects 
out, and from thence the end of the tail forms a bow 
inwards. The particular features of the long-breed 
canary may be immediately discovered by examining 
the engraving which we hav^e placed as a frontispeice in 
this book. 

The tail feathers must lie close together, and the 
end of the wing close to the rump. .A very particular 
feature in this bird is the length of its legs, which should 
be nearly straight, and their feet as close together as 
their knees. The feathers must all lie on the body 
smooth. This process of improving their shape also 
occupied many years of attention. 

At this time, there being gr^at a -rexcitement among 
the breeders, vying with each other to produce the 
best birds, caused the fanciers in several towns in 
Belgium to form a society for holding an annual ex- 
hibition, at which premiums were adjudged to the 
breeders of the first, second, and third class birds. 
These exhibitions are still held with great interest. 
Besides these, a general exhibition is annually held, 
where the fanciers of the whole kingdom of Belgium 
meet; and valuable premiums awarded to the holders 
of the best birds. Prize birds at this exhibition are 
much thought of, and, if sold, brings high prices — we 
ourselves having seen a pair in Antwerp sold for 700 
francs. 

Before the year 1840, these birds were hardly known 
in this country; but since that time have become much 
more sought after, particularly as a society has been 



28 



formed, and an exhibition held similar to that we have 
just mentioned.* Persons breeding these birds must 
be very careful in mating them, if they wish to secure 
first-rate ones. For instance, a high-colored, either 
male or female, should be put with a pale bird (mealy) ; 
for if two high-colored birds are mated together, small, 
delicate, and thin-feathered birds will generally be pro- 
duced : and, on the other hand, if two pale ones are 
mated together, their young will lose greatly in beauty 
of color. Loosed-feathered birds — that is, birds whose 
feathers do not lie smooth — are apt to throw out young 
ones very inferior in size to their parents ; if, therefore, 
we possess such, and for its shape and other good qual- 
ities still like to breed from it, great care should be 
taken to procure a very smooth-feathered mate for it. 
And again, if we have a favorite bird, combining all the 
requisite qualities, with the exception of one or two, we 
must then procure a mate for it who possesses these 
qualities to perfection. If these qualities are neglected, 
the long breed bird, being an artificial one, as to its 
length and shape, may degenerate to their original size. 
By this little history' of the long-breed canary, we 
show that the fancy for them differs very much from 
those of the common German Birds — the latter being 
educated and taught in their singing qualities, and kept 
by the lovers of birds to please the ear with their de- 

* This exhibition was first introduced in New York in 
1846, and generally takes place in the month of January, 
which is announced in the daily papers. Since this, a simi- 
lar exhibition is annually held in Philadelphia, Boston, &c. 



29 



lightful melody ; while the former are brought up for 
their peculiar shape, length, and beautiful color, to please 
the eye. 

A perfect bird of the long breed brings a much high- 
er price than the German canary, they being so much 
more difficult to breed ; this leads a number of persons, 
ignorant of the fact, to suppose they must consequently 
be much better singers ; but this is not the fact — the 
song of this bird is much inferior to the other ; and 
persons can easily perceive it by referring to the history 
of both birds, as already given in this little book.* The 
treatment of this bird is the same as that of the com- 
mon canary, 

* It is quite an interesting item in the history of the long- 
breed canary, how art has rivaled nature in producing this 
peculiar shape and size, so different from the original ; and 
this it is that causes the amateur to follow up the trouble 
consequent on rearing these birds ; but a number of persons, 
on the other hand, do it for the sake of traffic. 




80 
THE BULLFINCH. 

Loxia Pyrrhula. 

This bird is a native of Europe, where it is very 
generally spread all over. 

Description. The male bird: top of the head, 
wings, and tail are black; the back, dark gray; the 
breast, blood-red ; the rump, white ; its length, six in- 
ches. The female is easily distinguished from the male, 
for what is red on him is gray on her. 

It has no natural song, but is gifted with the ability 
of imitating, with an astonishing accuracy, in a sweet 
and flute-like tone, almost any air that is whistled or 
played to them on an instrument. This has made him 
a great favorite among bird-fanciers. 

In Germany, particularly in Hesse and Saxony, a 
great number of these birds are taught, and by the 
dealers brought to various parts of the world. The 
raising and teaching is generally accomplished by shoe- 
makers, tailors, and weavers, being so much confined to 
their rooms at their work, and thus enabled to take 
care of them — as at this time they require much atten- 
tion. The manner is thus : they are taken from their 
nest when very young — sometimes not more than a day 
old, such is the anxiety to get them — brought home, 
and fed with the yolk of hard-boiled eggs, soaked white 
bread, and soaked rape-seed, which is prepared as we 
have already described in the note at the foot of page 
24. This food is made fresh twice a day, as it soon 



81 



turns sour, and would then kill the birds. They are fed 
every two hours regularly ; from two to four quill-spoon- 
fuls, according to size and age. As the birds grow 
older, the quantity of seed is increased, and the egg de- 
creased, till the bird can feed itself They are by this 
time already put into separate cages, about a foot 
square, and the whole rape-seed, merely soaked, given 
to them, and by degrees brought on to the hard seed. 
The teaching begins from the first day they are taken 
into the house. The tune that is intended they should 
learn is whistled to them — whistliiig preferred, as in- 
struments are generally too shrill — several times a day, 
more particularly in the morning and evening. The 
tune must be whistled always in the same key, and no 
other whistled in the hearing of the bird, which is kept 
in rather a dark place during the process of training. 

There is a great difference in the capacity of the 
bullfinch; some can be taught a couple of tunes in 
three months, while others will take nine months ; some, 
again, will only learn a part of a tune, while others will 
not learn at all. What they have not taken up when 
nine months old, they will never learn. I have thus 
been particular in giving an account of their treatment 
after being taken from the nest, for the information of 
such persons as wish to breed them in cages in this 
country, which can be done by putting a pair of healthy 
and lively birds in a large cage or room, in which a 
small pine-bush should be placed, and fine moss, dry 
grass, and bristles given them for the purpose of nesting.. 
The breeding season is in May, June, and July. 



32 



General Treatment. The bullfinch should be 
fed principally on summer rape-seed, to which may be 
added a little canary and hemp seed ; sugar, sweet- 
cakes, or such like delicacies, spoil their taste, and 
should not be given to them. A little greens in the 
summer, or sweet apple in the winter, is very whole- 
some, both of which must be fresh. The cage should 
not be very large, a foot square is sufficient, with a flat 
top — bell shaped ones they do not like so well. They 
should be cleaned weekly, the bottom covered with dry 
gravel. Those that like to bathe must be supplied with 
an extra cup of water. Their claws must be cut at 
least twice a year. They must always be handled very 
gently, as they are easily frightened, harsh treatment 
often causing their death. As this bird becomes very 
much attached to its feeder ; it is recommended that the 
owner will undertake this care himself, which enables 
him to cause the bird to come out of the cage, sit on 
his finger, and whistle at his command, which is very 
amusing. 

The general disorders of the bullfinch are moulting 
(which is in the month of September), costiveness, 
hoarseness, and epilepsy; if attacked with- such, they 
may be treated as is described under the head of dis- 
eases. When properly treated, this bird will attain the 
age of five or six years. 



83 
THE GOLDFINCH. 

Fringilla Carduelis. 

Description. Length, five inches and three- 
quarters ; the beak, whitish and very pointed ; fi-ont of 
the head is a fine crimson ; cheeks, white ; the top of 
the head is black, which extends downwards from the 
nape towards the breast ; the back is brown ; the under 
part of the body, whitish ; on each side of the breast, 
brownish : wings, black and yellow spotted ; tail, black, 
with white spots. When a year old, the female is dis- 
tinguished from the male by being smaller, having less 
red on the head, and the shoulders being brown instead 
of black. 

This is one of the handsomest of all wild birds in 
Europe, and the most known and admired of the finch 
family, and deservedly so, alike from its beautiful plu- 
mage, remarkable cleverness, proved docility, together 
with its sweet song. This little funny fellow has such a 
way of turning his body rapidly from side to side, as he 
utters his sprightly notes, and so many amusing tricks, 
that one cannot help being pleased with him. The 
goldfinch is found all over Europe in the summer; but 
in the fall and winter they assemble in flocks and seek 
such localities where they find .plenty of food, which con- 
sists of all kinds of small seed : at this time they are 
caught on bird-lime and exported to other countries. 
When caged, the best food is a mixture of rape, hemp. 



34 



canary, and maw (poppy) seed, to which must be added 
occasionally some greens, such as chickweed, lettuce, &c. 
The cage may be of the same size and shape as we 
have already described for the bullfinch. They must 
also have plenty of bathing-water. 



THE SISKIN. 

Fringilla Spinus. 

This is one of the species used in crossing with the 
Canary. Its head and throat are black ; neck, back, and 
sides green, the back slightly spotted with black. In 
Europe it is a favorite caged bird, and really a beautiful 
plumaged one. Their song is short and low, though 
very agreeable, and they imitate with facility the notes 
of various birds. Caged, they should be fed on poppy 
seed, mixed with crushed hemp ; their native food being 
the seeds of the pine, thistle, fir, burdock and alder \ 
also the buds of trees. As they are a greedy bird care 
must be taken not to feed them too much. In health 
or sickness, their treatment, except feeding, should be 
the same as the Canary. 



35 
THE LINNET (GRAY). 

Linaria Cannahina. 

Description. Length, five inches; its color, in 
the wild state, when one year old, grayish brown on the 
back; wings, rather darker; breast, red; belly, light 
gray. After they moult in cages the red breast turns 
gray. 

This bird, though inferior in beauty of plumage to 
the goldfinch, is yet very much kept in cages ; it being 
of a hardy constitution, and a most lovely singer, utter- 
ing many very sweet, flute-like notes, and singing al- 
most throughout the year, which makes it a very pleas- 
ing household companion.* 

*„What can be more interesting than the affection of the 
two linnets we are about to mention ? A nest containing four 
young ones, scarcely fledged, was found by some children, 
who resolved to carry them home, for the purpose of rearing 
and taming the young birds. The old ones, attracted by their 
chirping, continued fluttering round the children, till they 
reached the house, when the nest was carried up-stairs to the 
nursery, and placed outside the windows. The old birds 
soon afterwards made their appearance, approached the nest, 
and fed the family without showing alarm. This being no- 
ticed, the nest was soon afterwards placed on a table in the 
middle of the apartment, and the window left open. The 
parent-birds came boldly in and fed their offspring as before. 
Still further to put their attachment to the test, the nest and 
young ones were placed within a bird-cage ; still the old one 



36 



To have the benefit of its song fully, it is well to keep 
it in rather a small cage, say about ten inches long, and 
hight and depth in proportion, with flat top. Its Food 
is to be summer rape and canary seed, an equal quan- 
tity, and plenty of green food. It must have water for 
bathing and plenty of dry gravel on the bottom. 

The general disorders of the linnet are costiveness 
and epilepsy, in which case they may be treated as we 
have already described under the head of disorders. 
They will, however, seldom take sick, and generally live 
from eight to ten years. 

returned, entered boldly within the cage, and supplied the 
wants of their brood as before, and towards evening actually 
perched on the cage, regardless of the noise made around 
them by several children. This continued for several days, 
when an unlucky accident put an end to it. The cage had 
been again set on the outside of the window, and was unfor- 
tunately left exposed to a sudden and heavy fall of rain ; the 
consequence was, that the whole of the young were drowned 
in the nest. The poor parents, who had so boldly and inde- 
fatigably performed their duty, continued hovering round the 
house, and looking wistfully in at the window, for several 
days, and then disappeared. 




87 



THE LINNET (GKEEN). 

This bird is rarely brought to this country, being 
inferior in song to the gray linnet. Its length is six 
inches ; the prevailing color, yellowish green, lighter on 
the lower part of the body, still more so on the rump. 
The first nine wing-feathers are partly bright yellow. 
The female is distinguished by being smaller, and her 
color an ashy green. The treatment is the same as for 
the gray linnet. 



THE CHAFFICH. 

Frinnlla Calebs. 



"<i>' 



Description. Fore part of the head, dark 
brown ; upper part, gray blue ; upper part of the back 
and shoulders, brown ; under part, greenish ; cheeks 
and breast, red brown ; lower part of the belly, white. 
It is a most delightful singer, and, in certain parts of 
Germany, esteemed over all other birds. It is gener- 
ally kept in a foot-square cage, the top darkened with 
a piece of cloth, and hung outside of the window in 
spring and summer, where it sings much better than 
inside. 

The treatment is the same as for the linnet. 



THE NIGHTINGALE* 

Sylvia Lusci?iia. 

„ Night from her ebon throne stoops down to listen 
To this, the sweetest songster of the 'groTe : 
And pulses thrill, and eyes with rapture glisten, 
As forth she pours her plaintive song of love." 

Description, its length is five inches. The 
top of the head and back is of a grayish brown, breast 
ash gray, more light on the belly, and throat white. 
Wings and tail dark brown. This bird is decidedly the 
most melodious of all singing birds. 

The compass, flexibility, prodigious variety, and har- 
mony of his voice, make it the greatest favorite of the 

* To show the value that was laid upon the Nichtingale 
by the inhabitants of some of the Rhinish provincess, accord- 
ing to the Cologne Gazette^ the following ordinance was issued 
a few years ago by the Prussian Minister of the interior, 
complying with a petition from the inhabitants of these pro- 
vinces : — 

„ After the pubHcation of these presents, it is forbidden to 
catch nightingales, under the penalty of a fine of five thalers 
or eight days imprisonment. Whoever keeps, or wishes to 
keep in a cage a niglitingale, brought from abroad, is bound 
to give information of it, within eight days, to the pohce, and 
to pay, for the benefit of the poor, five thalers yearly. Who- 
ever shall neglect to make this declaration annually, and pay 
the said tax, shall be liable to a fine of ten thalers, or impris- 
onment for fifty days." 



39 



lovers of the beauty of nature. Coleridge says thus of 
this bird ; 

,, The merry nightingale 

That crowds and hurries and precipitates, 
With fast, thick warble, his delicious notes, 
As if he were fearful that an April night 
Would be too short for him to utter forth 
His love-chant, and disburthen his full soul 
Of all its music." 

He will sometimes dwell for several seconds on a 
strain, composed of only two or three melancholy tones, 
beginning in an under voice, and swelling it gradually 
by a most superb crescendo, to the highest point of 
strength, he ends it by a dying cadence. His very strik- 
ing musical talent, surpassing all other singing birds, has 
acquired for him the name of the King of Songsters. 

The Nightingale is found all over Europe, in the sum- 
mer season, more particularly in places that are shady 
and cool, but not cold. In the winter they emigrate to 
a southern climate, such as Asia and Africa, and return 
about April. At this time they will sing throughout the 
night, which drops off as soon as they are mated ; after 
which they sing only in the day time, till the month of 
June, when they stop singing altogether for the season. 

When caged, and well treated, they will sing for six 
or eight months during the year ; some begin in Decem- 
ber, some in January, and some in February, and sing 
till the month of July. 

Their cage should be at least 15 inches long and a 
foot high, in which are placed three perches, two below 
and one above. The top of the cage should be of green 



40 



muslin, or such like, instead of wire, which prevents the 
bird from injuring its head, by flying up, which it is in 
the habit of doing during the season of migrating. The 
muslin should hang down from the top over the wire of 
the side of the cage, far enough to reach down to the 
upper perch, on which the bird most generally sings ; 
this precaution keeps them shaded from view, as they 
are of a timid nature. Its situation to be changed as 
seldom as possible, and punctual treatment is expressly 
necessary for this bird more than any other. 

The cage must be cleaned at least twice a week, and 
the bottom well covered with dry gravel, and a daily 
bath given. Their feet being very tender should be 
looked after occasionally, and if found dirty washed with 
lukewarm water ; likewise the perches must be cleaned. 
By neglecting this, their feet would become sore, and 
cause lameness. In the winter they must be kept in a 
warm room. If more than one is kept in a room, it is 
well to place them so that they cannot see each other. 
In the wild state, these birds feed on small insects and 
their eggs, also chrysalis, elderberries, and currants. In 
cages they are best fed as follows : — carrot, hard-boiled 
egg, stale roll or biscuit, boiled sheep's or calf s heart. 
An equal quantity of each of the above is grated (the 
juice of the carrot squeezed out),' to which is added half 
as much ants' eggs^ as the whole of the above, and then 

* The ants' eggs are gathered in Germany in great quan- 
tities, dried, and prepared for exportation : being a very 
wholesome food for all soft-bill birds, we import them, and 
ve them on sale at our store. 



41 



all mixed up well. This food, of course must be made 
fresh every morning, otherwise it would spoil. It is, con- 
sequently, well to find out the proper quantity they are 
able to consume in a day, as more than that will go to 
waste ; for what is left in the morning must be thrown 
away. 

It is not absolutely necessary to mix the above 
mentioned artikles at all times ; some of them, ex- 
cept the ants' eggs, may be left off occasionally — for 
instance, in the summer, the eggs and meat, which 
are very apt to get spoiled at that time. I have seen 
Nightingales thrive well on ants' eggs and carrot only. 
Some fanciers will mix wheat bran, moistened with 
milk; others bruised hemp-seed ; also currants or elder- 
berries : all these, if the bird will eat them, will not 
injure it. 

In Belgium and France, the Nightingale are com- 
monly fed as follows : one pound of yellow pea-meal, 
half pound of honey, half pint of sweet almonds (pounded 
fine), and half once of sweet butter, or in larger or 
smaller preparation, mashed well together, and made 
into cakes, formed similar to a sausage an inch thick, 
and four inches long — these, after they are well dried, 
will keep good for many months. Before fed, they are 
grated, and mixed with an equal part of ants' eggs. 
Fanciers there assure me that the bird thrives very well 
on this food. This shows that Nightingales are not 
such delicate birds as they are often thought in this 
country. Whatever they are fed on, from three to 



42 



six meal worms* given them daily proves very bene- 
ficial. 

Disorder. Moulting generally amounts, with a Night- 
ingale, to a disease. At this period they must be well 
taken care of. The ants' eggs, before mixed with the 
other food, are better to be soaked in hot water. The 
number of meal-worms should be increased by two or 
three. A spider now and then given to them is very 
wholesome. As to the other disease, we refer to pages 
9, &c. If good care is taken of them, they will gener- 
ally attain the age of four to eight years. 

*Meal worms can easily be raised, as follows : A box, that 
will hold about a peck, lined with tin, so that the worm can- 
not crawl out — or an earthern jar — is to be nearly filled with 
wheat-bran, oatmeal, old woollen rags, a little old leather, and 
brown sugar- paper. Into this are to be put about a couple 
of hundred of meal worms, — the box to be covered with a 
piece of cloth, or a board with a few holes to admit some 
air. By keeping them in a quiet and warm place for three 
months they will change into beetles. These insects soon 
propagate by eggs, which renews and increases the stock 
considerably. 




43 
THE BLACKCAP. 

Sylvia Atricapilla, 

Description. Length, six inches; the top of 
the head black ; upper part of the body, breast, wings, 
and tail, ash-colored ; lighter under the belly. With the 
female, the top of the head is brown instead of black. 

This bird is found all over Europe in the summer 
season ; in the winter it migrates to a more southern 
climate. 

It is a most delightful singer, and is called the next 
best to the Nightingale. Its notes, though quite differ- 
ent from the Nightingale's, are no less admirable, and 
are heard throughout the year, during the whole day, 
except in the moulting season. He begins quite piano, 
with several strains of warbling, and ends with loud, 
most jo}ful, flute-like notes. 

It should be kept in a cage similar to that we de- 
scribed for a Nightingale. Being a very free singer, it 
may be placed at any part of a room. Food and gen- 
eral treatment may be quite the same as described for 
the Nightingale. 




44 
THE SKY LAKK. 

Alauda Arvensis. 

The crested herald of the morn, that springs 

Up from his grassy flight, 
Seeming to rain down music from his wings. 

And bathe his plumage in the fount of light. 

Description. The upper part of the body is 
brownish, mixed with dark spots. The breast and sides 
are of a gray brown, spotted ; underneath the belly, a 
muddy white. Length, seven inches, to seven and a half. 
This color, however, sometimes changes, when caged, 
according to the food given him, and the room where 
kept in. This beautiful warbler is spread all over Europe, 
and has the most peculiar manner of flying of any of the 
feathered tribe, its movement being invariably upwards, 
in a perpendicular line; after leaving his grassy abode, 
beginning his melodious song, which he continues un- 
ceasingly till nearly out of sight (sometimes completely 
out of sight), looking like a mere speck, towards the 
heavens, and even then you may hear his sweet voice 
dying away, as if in the clouds ; when he descends, in 
like manner, still continuing to gratify his hearers be- 
low with his own peculiar melody, till within a short 
distance from his nest, — then silently alighting, hiding 
himself in the grass, fearing as if by instinct, some 
straggling wanderers were watching his movements, and 
find out the spot to „rob a bird's nest," when he creeps 
along, quite unseen, to visit his home and little family. 



45 



Many a time have we ourselves sat in the meadow where 
they build their nests, and watched with much delight 
their journeying through the air, and back again, count- 
ing from ten to fifteen minutes, and sometimes, even 
longer than that, all the time continuing its most thrill- 
ing and extatic notes. The Skylark, when caught 
young, or brought up from the nest, will make a most 
excellent cage-bird, singing during the whole winter, 
spring, and summer. When caught old, it seldom an- 
swers for a cage, being too timid, and very difficult to 
tame. 

It should be fed with a mixture of maw seed (poppy) 
or bruised hemp seed, pounded biscuit, and a little hard- 
boiled egg, chopped up, to which may be added occa- 
sionally a little raw beef, lean, scraped fine, or a couple 
of meal worms. Some larks will eat canary and millet 
seed, groats of oats. An extra dish, with this food, may 
be placed in their cage, which, if the bird eats, will prove 
very good for them. A little green food occasionally, 
chopped up, agrees well with them. 

The Lark's cage should be from twelve to eighteen 
inches long ; hight and depth in proportion ; the foJ>, in- 
stead of wire, may be of cloth, or if bordered or wired 
should be lined with such, to prevent their hurting 
themselves by flying upwards, as they are apt to do. 
No perches are required in the Lark's cage, as they 
never perch, their claws being stiff, not like other birds. 
The bottom of the cage should be covered with dry 
sand or gravel, Aa// an ifich deep, in which they will roll 
and dust themselves. They do not bathe in water as 



46 



other birds. In the middle of the cafre should be placed 
a little table, about two inches high, on which is kept a 
green sod ; this the bird will much enjoy while singing. 
The boxes for feeding from, and for water, must be 
outside the cage, which prevents the feed from getting 
dirtied by the gravel, which they scatter about as above. 
In fine weather they may be hung out in the open air. 
With proper care the Lark often lives to ten jears of 
age. 



THE WOOD LARK. 

Alauda Arborea. 



This bird resembles the Skylark in color, but is 
smaller, measuring six inches to six and a half, and is 
one of the sweetest singers in Europe — his song being 
a combination of beautiful, thrilling and soft, flute-like 
notes, and quite free from any shrill or unpleasant ones. 

Its food may be the same as the Skylark. The cage 
may be the same, but with the addition of perches in- 
stead of the green sod. 



47 



THE EOBIN REDBREAST. 

Sylvia Rubecula, 

Description. The upper part of the body, wings, 
and tail are of an olive brown ; the forehead, throat, and 
breast, of an orange-red ; belly, white \ length, five in- 
ches and three quarters. This bird is thought very 
much of in Europe, particularly in England, being so 
lively and very handsome a bird ; it is easily tamed, so 
as to let it out of its cage, and play about a room. It 
possesses a sweet warbling song. 

lis food may be the same as that of the Nightingale, 
already mentioned ; it will also eat freely of the poppy 
seed and bruised hemp, when mixed with the other 
food. Its cage should be at least eighteen inches long, 
and in proportion wide and high. This bird is very 
fond of bathing, and should therefore be daily provided 
with a bath ; but when allowed to fly about a room, 
care must be taken not to leave'a pitcher, or any large 
vessel with water within its reach as they are very apt 
to make to such, and frequently get drowned : we have 
known several such instances occur, to our own know- 
ledge. 

The following beautiful lines are from the pen of 
Bishop Doane, of New Jersey. 



48 



ROBIN REDBREAST. 
„ Sweet Robin, I have heard them say 
That thou wert there, upon that day 
That Christ was crowned in cruel scorn. 
And bore away one bleeding thorn ; 
That so the blush upon thy breast, 
In shameful sorrow was impressed ; 
And thence thy genial sympathy ♦ 

With our redeemed humanity. 

„ Sweet Robin, would that I might be 
Bathed in my Savior's blood like thee ; 
Bear on my breast, whate'er the loss, 
The bleeding blazon of the cross ; 
Live, ever, with thy loving mind, 
In fellowship with human kind ; 
And take my pattern still from thee. 
In gentleness and constancy." 

The following verse is an extract from a very pretty 
and pathetic poem, written on the far-famed story of 
„The Death of the Babes in the Wood :" 

„ No burial these pretty babes 

Of any man receives ; 
But Robin Redbreast painfully 

Did cover them with leaves." 




49 
THE SONG THRUSH. 

Turdus Miisicus. 

A flute-like melody is thine, O Thrush ! 
Full of rich cadences, and clear and deep : 
Upon the sense it cometh like a gush 
Of perfume stolen from the winds that sweep 
Where spice-isles gem the bosom of the deep. 

Description. Upper part of the body is olive- 
gray; wings and tail -brown ; breast and sides, yellow 
with numerous oval-shaped dark-brown spots ; length? 
eight inches and a half. 

The Song Thrush is a most melodious singer, being 
gifted with a more powerful tone than any of the 
feathered choristers of the European forest. This 
speckled musician pleases with delight, and satisfies, as 
it were, the very soul of thee listeners. In the wild 
state it only sings during the spring ; but when caged, 
and properly treated, will sing eight or nine months of 
the year, commencing about December or January. It 
is for this reason, as well as for its beautiful song, that 
the thrush is so much kept in cages, and domesticated. 
In the spring of the year its voice becomes too loud to 
be in a room ; it is therefore hung up outdoors, where 
it pleases the whole nighborhood. 

Their food may be of two different kinds, viz. : A 
piece of a roll (stale), soaket in water for a few minutes 
and then pressed out, is mixed with the same quantity 
of coarse barley or oatmeal ; to this is added enough of 



50 



fresh milk, so as to make a thin paste of it. This paste 
must be made fresh for them every morning, as it is 
likely to get sour, and the birds refuse to eat it. The 
other mixture (which I have found the best) is, bruised 
hemp seed, carrots grated and the juice squeezed out, 
and stale roll or rusk (grated) ; an equal quantity of each 
mixed up well. This food will not turn sour so easily 
as the former, neither are the birds so liable to dirty the 
cage after it. A little hard boiled egg, chopped up, may 
be put with either of the above mixtures ; also a little 
fresh meat (lean) given to them occasionally will prove 
very good for them. An extra dish, with dried currants, 
well washed, may be constantly left in their cage. 
These they are generally very fond of, and are very 
healthy for them. 

The cage for the Thrush should be at least two feet 
and a half long, and high in proportion ; the perches 
three quarters of an inch thick. The Thrush is also 
very fond of bathing. 




^■^^'(^/ '-.j-^^o'^k;^ 



51 



THE STARLING. 

Sturnus Vulgaris. 

Description. The color of this bird is of a black- 
ish hue, changing to pourple towards the front of the 
body and to green towards the hind part. The feathers 
on its body are all tipped with white, less on the head 
than the other parts. Its length is eight inches and a half. 

The natural song of a Starling is rather poor, but he 
has a wonderful good memory. He will learn to re- 
peat several airs that are played to him, with great 
ease ; nay, more, he learns to pronounce words very dis- 
tinctly, or imitate the song of other birds, or any sounds 
when repeatedly heard. Besides this, he becomes very 
tame in the house, so as to be let out of the cage, and 
walk about the room. He soon knows all the persons 
in the house, is always gay and wakeful, and as docile 
and cunning as a dog. I have one at the present time 
that whistles three different airs very correctly, and 
speaks about fifteen German words quite distinktly. 

The Starling, when brought up in a cage, will learn 
until two years old ; other birds seldom learn after one 
year old. 

His/^^^and treatment may be the same as that of 
the Thrush. They are a very hardy bird, and will 
sometimes attain the age of fifteen years. 

I have thus far given description of the European 
Song Birds, with the exception of a few that are little 



52 



sought after — such as the Sparrow, the Redpole, &c., 
which are hard-bill birds, and live on seed, and may be 
treated same as the Goldfinch, — besides, the Fawnette, 
the Field Fare, and a few others, which are soft bill 
birds, and may be treated as the Thursh. 



THE BLACKBIRD. 

Turdus Merula. 

Description. TMs bird is of a pure velvety 
black, with an orange-yellow bill. Its length is nine 
inches and a half 

The notes of the Blackbird, though not so various as 
of the Thrush, still are of a more sweet, flute-like tone ; 
besides this, he possesses the ability of imitating airs 
which are whistled to him ; this he executes to great 
perfection. When in a wild state, this bird only sings 
about three months in the year ; but when caged, sings 
nearly throughout the year. His food and treatment 
may be the same as we described for the Thrush. 

We consider the Blackbird, when in full plumage, 
and in good health, a very handsome bird, and there- 
fore are scarcely inclined to agree with an anonymous 
poet who says : 

„ I could not think so plain a bird 
Could sing so sweet a song." 



AMERICAN AND OTHER BIRDS. 



My experience being rather limited with American 
birds, I can say but little on the subject. However, 
what I do know of them, I will explain to the best of 
my ability. 

With the exception of a few, the American birds are, 
in general, inferior for their singing qualities to the 
European ; notwithstanding this, they are much kept in 
cages and in aviaries, for their great beauty of plumage. 
The best of all American birds is decidedly 

THE MOCKING BIRD. 

Tardus Poly glottis, Audobon, 

Sweet Songster ! Yea, Nightingale of America ! 
This unrivalled songster is a native of the Southern 
States, where thousands of them are taken from the nest 
before they are fledged, and reared by hand, and sold 
for fabulous prices. 

The celebrated poet, Cowper's expression of the 
nightingale : 

" Ten thousand warblers cheer the day, 
And one the live-long night." 



54 



Is equally appropriate to our Mocking Bird. Who, on 
passing through the streets of any large city on a bright 
night in June, has not heard the shrill scream of the 
Eagle, the mourning note of the Turtle Dove, the deli- 
cate warble of the Blue Bird, the cackling of the domes- 
tic Hen, followed by the quarreling of a dozen or more 
Grimalkins, each seeming to vie with the other as to the 
quantity of noise ; then the cry of the Katy-did, the 
mellow whistle of the Cardinal, the grunt of the maternal 
porker searching for her juveniles, the creaking of some 
rusty swing sign-board, the pipe of the canary, and the 
cry of some lost puppy wailing in the mid-night air, and 
each suceeding the other with a rapidity that the listener 
wonders if such a variety can come from so small an 
object. 

The Mocking Bird is a general favorite, and deserves 
to be attentively cared for. He is particular, and should 
be fed and watered at the same time every day. His cage 
should be large, and kept very clean, with plenty of 
gravel. His food should be the Prepared Mocking 
Bird Food, and during moulting season feed him plen- 
tifully with berries, grasshoppers and spiders, with occa- 
sionally a meal worm or two, and keep him out of all 
draughts of air, and with these precautions the bird's 
average life is ten years. 



55 



BLUE ROBIN. 

Sialia Nilsonii. 

Description. Length, six and a half inches ; 
breast, rust brown ; belly, muddy brown ; top of the head, 
back, wing, and tail, a beautiful blue. 

It is a native of the United States ; stays and breeds 
with us in the summer season, but migrates southward 
when cold weather is coming on. It lives on insects, 
berries, &c. In the cage it thrives best on the paste No. 
2, as prescribed under the head of General Remarks. 
It is merely for their beauty of plumage that the Blue 
Robin is kept in cages ; their song is of no account. 

THE ROBIN, OR RED-BREASTED THRUSH. 
Turdus Migratorius. 

Description. Length, 8 inches ; throat white; 
breast, red ; the other part of the body dark gray ; still 
darker on the head, wings, and tail. 

The Robin is found all over the United States. They 
return from the South early in spring, and breed in our 
State in great number. 

It is principally for his ability in imitating different 
tunes, which are whistled to him when young, that he 
is kept in cages ; for his natural song consists but of a 
few broken notes. This bird is generally treated the 
same as the Mocking Bird. Those I have kept, I fed 
on the same mixture as described for Thrushes, which I 
have found very good for them. 



56 



BALTIMORE ORIOLE.* 

Icterus Baltimore. 

Description. Length, seven and a half inches. 
Head, throat, and back, black ; wing feathers, dark 
brown ; the two middle tail feathers, dark brown ; the 
others, brown above, and yellow on the end ; the upper 
covert (shoulder) orange ; the greater covert, black, with 
white ends ; breast, belly, and rump, orange color, a 
little darker on the breast. 

The name of this beautiful bird denotes its being a 
native of the South ; however, it visits us here in the 
North, in the spring, where it remains, breeds, and re- 
turns in the fall to its warm quarters. They live in the 
wild state, on insects, berries, &c. When caged, the 
paste. No. 2, as prescribed under head of General 
Remarks, answers for them, and agrees very well. 

The song of this bird, although low and short, will 
be found agreeable ; but it is more for their beautiful 
plumage that they are kept in cages. 

*These birds have a very peculiar manner of building their 
nest : They, choose the utmost branch of a high tree, from 
one of the twigs of which they hang a nest, in the shape of a 
little bag, weaved beautifully together with strings of twine, 
dry grass, small roots, &c. : indeed, so artfully and so cun- 
ningly out of the reach of the hands of their enemies, that we 
must look with amazement, and ponder and admire what 
wonders the Almighty has wrought for this species of his, 
creation. 



57 



THE CAT-BIRD, 

OR, BLACK-CAPPED THRUSH. 

Orpheus Felivox. 

Description. Length, eight inches ; prevailing 
color, dark gray; black underneath; top of the head 
black, and some reddish-brown feathers underneath the 
tail, — these are more red on the male than on the fe- 
male (the only disitnction). This bird is a native of the 
United States, and is found in Canada in the summer 
season. Its song, although low, is quite pleasant. It 
will, also, in a certain degree, try to imitate the notes of 
other birds. Their treatment may be the same as that 
described for the Mocking Bird. They require a large, 
cage, and a frequent bath. 



THE BLUE JAY. 

Ganulus Glandariiis. 

Description. Length, ten and a half inches'; 
bill, black ; tuft on the head, blue (which the bird can 
raise or fall at will) ; throat, cheeks, and breast, light 
gray ; belly, white ; a black ring round the neck down 
to the chest ; back, light blue ; wing, wing coverts and 
tail, light and dark blue, with black stripes across, white 
edged. 

4 



58 



This bird has no natural song, but will, when reared 
in a cage, to a certain degree, imitate an air that is 
whistled to him. They require a large-sized cage, and 
live very well on the paste No. 1, prescribed under head 
of General Remarks. They are fond of a little beef, 
as mentioned on same page. 



RED-BEEASTED GROSBEAK. 

Giiarica Ludoviciana. 

This very elegant bird is but little known, yet but 
few of our domestic birds much surpass it in sweetness 
of song, or beauty of its plumage. It sings by night as 
well as by day, and its notes are very clear and mellow. 
Its great rarity in the wild state accounts for the fact 
that it is so seldom seen caged, yet no bird can be more 
highly prized, its bright carmine breast, and deep black 
and snowy white body forming such a rich contrast. 
During the summer it wanders into the high northern 
latitudes, wintering in the Middle States. Caged, their 
food is the same as the Red Bird. 




59 



RED-WING STARLING. 

Stujnus Vulgaris. 

Description. Length, eight inches. The male, 
when two years old, is black all over, with the exception 
of the wing coverts (shoulders), which are yellow and 
red. When young, the black is mingled with small 
brown spots, and less on the coverts. The female re- 
sembles the young male bird, but no red at all. 

This bird, a native of this country, arrives here early 
in the spring ; breeds here, and returns for the winter, 
back South. 

Their song is of little variety, being a succession of 
chattering notes, but when assembled together in large 
flocks, as we have often seen them, filling the branches 
of a large tree, and all joining together with their notes, 
form a concert not less to be admired by the lovers of 
nature, than one performed by a band of amateurs. 

In the wild state this bird lives on berries, insects, 
&c., as well as on seeds. We have fed them in cages 
on canary and hemp seed, and observed them to do 
very well, another time we have kept them on the paste 
No. 2, as prescribed under head General Remarks. 
They require a large-sized cage, and a frequent bath. 




60 



THE HED BIRD. 

OR, VIRGINIA NIGHTINGALE. 
Guarica Cardinalis. 

This bird is a native of the Southern States, and one 
of the handsomest birds of the New World. Its color 
is of a brilliant red, with the exception of the throat, 
and the part round the beak, which is black. The head 
is ornamented with a tuft; this he is capable of raising, 
which gives him a very commanding appearance. Its 
length is eight inches. 

Together with its beautiful plumage, this bird is gifted 
with a very sweet, pleasing song, though of rather a low 
tone. 

Being a very hardy bird, and easily taken care of, 
he is much kept in cages in this country, as well as in 
Europe, where we have frequently seen him in aviaries, 
as well as cages. He Commands a high price there, for 
his great beauty. He should be kept in a good-sized 
cage, and fed with a mixture of canary and hemp seed, 
and rough (unhusked) rice, to which may be added, a 
little fresh green food, or a piece of apple, occasionally. 
When properly treated, this bird often attains the age of 
fifteen years. 




61 



THE BLUE, OR INDIGO BIRD. 

Spiza Cyaiiea. 

This bird is of the same size as the Canary. Its 
plumage is of a most beautiful blue — still more brilliant 
on the head. It is a native of the Southern States, but 
in the warm season visits some of the Northern. It ar- 
rives in our neighborhood about the beginning of May, 
and remains with us till the cold weather comes on, 
when it returns to its more congenial quarters. It has 
quite an agreeable song, which may sometimes be heard 
in the middle of the night. 

The Indigo Bird changes its color twice a year, turn- 
ing to a grayish color in the winter. The female may 
be easily distinguished frorh the male, being always of 
a gray color, and still more in winter. 

They thrive well on being fed on canary, rape, and 
millet seed. They hke a little green food, and are fond 
of bathing. 




62 



THE NONPAREIL. 

Spiza Ciris. 

This very handsome bird is found in the warm States, 
and often brought on here by saylors from Savannah, 
Mobile, and other seaports. Its color (that is, of the 
male, when three years old) on the head and neck is a 
most beautiful violet ; the back, yellowish green ; tail, 
brown ; breast and underpart of the body, bright red ; 
length, five and a half inches. The color of a female is 
dull green on the upper part, and yellowish green on 
the lower part of the body, being the same as the male 
when one year old. 

Its song is similar to that of the Indigo Bird. Its 
food and general treatment may also be the same. 



BOB-0-LINK. 



This bird has received his name from a peculiar song 
of his own, in which he expresses very distinctly the 
words ^^bob-o-link'"'' several times in succession. They 
are found in our State, in the summer season, in great 
numbers ; but migrate southerly when cold weather ar- 
rives. As to his singing qualities, he is generally con- 
sidered to be the next best to the Mocking Bird ; indeed, 
what I have seen of him, inclines me to give the same 
opinion. It is principally fed on canary, millet and 
rape seed, to which must be added plenty of green food, 
and frequently a bath given him. 



63 
THE YELLOW BIED, 

OR AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 

Carduelis Americana, 

Description. The length of this lively llttle bird 
is only four and a half to four and three-quarter inches. 
They change their feathers twice a year. In the winter 
their prevailing color is a kind of olive-green, which 
in the summer they change into a much more beautiful 
plumage — viz., top of head, wing and tail, black ; back, 
rump, breast, and belly, bright yellow. The prevailing 
color of the female is a muddy gray. 

This beautiful bird is found all over the United States, 
and lives on all kinds of small seed. In cages they are 
generally fed on yellow-bird seed, but will live on a 
mixture of canary, millet and poppy seed just as well ; 
to which may be added a little green food occasionally. 
They must have gravel in the bottom of their cage, and 
water for bathing. Their song is very limited, yet its 
lively appearance and beautiful plumage renders him a 
favorite cage bird. 



SOUTH AMERICAN TROOPICAL. 

This richly plumaged bird presents a similar ap- 
pearance to the Baltimore Oriole, or, what is called in 
the Northern States, Golden Robin. The chief diffefence 



64 



being that it is much larger in size, and the orange of 
the body, being more of a yelfow. It is one of the 
feathered tribe of the tropics, gifted with great powers 
of song ; being extremely docile, they are great favorites 
for the cage, and in confinement become so tame that 
they will hop on your hand at call. 

Their song is a very powerful, yet pleasant whistle 
of clear and varied notes. They are extremely active, 
and very graceful in their movements, and require a 
cage the same size that a Mocking Bird is usually con- 
fined in. In their wild state, their food consists of in- 
sects and berries ; caged they require the same food as 
the Mocking Bird. 



THE JAVA SPARROW, 

OR RICE BIRD. 

Loxia Orizyvora. 

This bird is about the size of a Canary, its length 
being five inches. The beak is thick, and of a fine rose 
color ; head, throat, and tail black ; cheeks white ; the 
belly, purple gray ; and the rest of the body fawn color. 
It is merely for their beauty that these birds are kept in 
cages, their song being of small account. They are 
natives of the East Indies ; and are often brought in 
great numbers from the Island of Java, to this country 
and to Europe. They feed on rough rice (unhulled), 
hemp and canary seed. They are particularly fond of 
bathing. 



6o 
THE AMANDAVA. 

Fringilla Amandava. 

This beautiful little bird is brought from Bengal, 
Java, Malacca, and other tropical countries of Asia. It 
is one of the smallest birds that is caged, its length being 
only from two and a half to three inches. The color of 
the male, when two years old, is of a bright red, with 
white spots ; when younger, its plumage is not so bright, 
being more of a grayish color. The female is smaller, 
and of the same color as the young males. Their song 
is very low. In cages, they are best kept by the pair, 
and not single ; as they are in the habit, when on their 
perch, to keep very close together, for warmth. It is 
quite amusing to see a number of these sweet little 
creatures in a row, close to each other, while the outer 
ones, after a short time, make their way into the middle 
of the lot; and so each one must take its turn to sit 
outside. The cage for these birds must be made ex- 
pressly for them ; the wires requiring to be much closer 
together than the Canary's cage. The best seed for 
them is millet and canary ; and a little lettuce and sweet 
apple occasionally. They also like to bathe. By this 
treatment, they thrive well in cages. They are exported 
to this country and to Europe, even so far north as 
Russia, where we ourselves have met with them. Their 
diminutive size and great beauty renders these birds 
general favorites with fanciers. 



66 
PARROTS. 

Psitticina. 

There are a vast number of species of the Parrot, 
(ornithologists say 200). They all are natives of tro- 
pical climates, and may be distinguished by their bill 
being large, and the upper mandible very much hooked. 
Their tongue is thick, round, and fleshy ; which enables 
some of them to articulate so distinctly. Their claws 
differ from most other birds, being directed two forward 
and two behind. 

These birds, in the wild state, feed principally on 
fruit, grain, &c. They are very injurious to the orange 
orchard, and other delicate fruit-trees, which they often 
destroy by gnawing with their strong beak. In confine- 
ment, the best food for them is stale white bread, soaked 
in milk, or merely water ; beside which is given a mix- 
ture of hemp and canary seed, and corn. With this 
food they do not require any drinking water ; but when 
fed on seeds and dry cracker, of which they also eat 
freely, then they require water. A piece of sweet apple 
may be given them. They are best kept in tin cages, 
as they generally gnaw the wooden ones. They are 
all very hardy birds, and wall attain to an old age. The 
Gray Parrot is said to live to a century. 

Those which are mostly kept in cages, are the fol- 
lowing : 



67 



THE GRAY, OR AFRICAN PARROT. 

This bird is of a fine ashy-gray color, with a red tail, 
white face, and black bill. It is decidedly the best 
species of all the parrots for its capability of talking, 
whistling, &c., so perfect ; and is devoid of that un- 
pleasant screeching, which some of the other parrots are 
much in the habit of practicing. 



THE YELLOW-HEADED GREEN PARROT, 

OR AMAZON. 

The head of this bird is all yellow ; bill, white ; body 
all green, with a few blue and red feathers in the tail 
and wing; shoulders, red. It is a native of South 
America, and soon tamed, and learned to say almost 
any thing. This is the next best to the Gray Parrot, 
which we have just described. 



THE COMMON YELLOW-HEADED PARROT. 

This bird is somewhat smaller than the last we spoke 
of; it is only yellow on the forehead ; but with some of 
this species it is partly blue ; their bill is gray. They are 
very active and lively birds, and learn to repeat a great 
many words ; but some of them are found to be noisy, 
and addicted to screechins:. 



68 



THE WEST INDIA PARROT. 

There are several species of this parrot ; but they are 
all dark green ; some of them have a red forehead ; some 
a white forehead ; and some with a white forehead and 
red throat, which latter are the most apt to learn. 

The very great variety of the Green Parrots, renders 
it impossible to describe them all. 

There are very few of this color that will learn to 
talk, with the exception of those we have already men- 
tioned. 

The small species of these birds are called Parrakeet ; 
the most favorite of which are the red-faced ones (Love 
Birds). They are but little larger than the Bullfinch. 
Their color is light green ; the tail feathers partly red ; 
front part of the head and throat is red ; bill, flesh color. 
The female is distinguished by the head and throat 
being of a yellowish red. Although this bird cannot 
learn to talk, we cannot but admire them for their 
beauty and great attachment to each other. They must 
be kept in pairs, for their affection is so great, that one 
will not thrive well without a companion. 




69 



GENERAL REMARKS. 

Wherever we have mentioned soaked bread, 
we would recommend rolls (stale), they being generally 
of a better quality of flour, and not so sour. 

These rolls, split in two, and put into an oven, until 
they become hard enough to be pounded, answer better 
than biscuit or crackers. 

Universal Food for Soft-Bill Birds.^ 
Paste No. 1. — Two-fifths white br-ead (stale), well soak- 
ed in water, and then pressed out ; two-fifths barley or oat- 
meal ; one-fifth hard-boiled ^gg, chopped fine. The whole 
to be mixed with milk and water, and made into a paste. 
Paste No. 2. — One-third white bread (stale), well soa- 
ked in water, and then pressed out ; or biscuit pounded ; 
one-third carrot, grated, and the juice squeezed out ; one- 
sixth of hard-boiled ^gg and one sixth of bruised hemp- 
seed. All mixed up and made into a paste. 

These pastes will agree with all soft-bill birds ; it 
must, however, be made fresh every day. As a change 
of diet, a little lean beef, boiled or raw, but scraped or 
chopped very fine, may be added to the above paste. 
Also, some dried currants, or raisins washed clean, and 
chopped up fine, are very good for those that eat them. 
A small addition of ants' eggs is most excellent, especially 
for those birds that live solely on insects. From two to 
six meal worms daily is also very good for them. 

*By soft-bill birds we mean those that live on fruit, insects, 
berries, &c. We may distinguish them by their long bill. 

Seed birds live on all kinds of seeds, their bill is generally 
thick and short. 



70 \ 

CHARLES REIOHE & BRO, '* { 

IVo. ^^ Oliatham Street, IVevi^ TTorlt, 

9 Bowdoin Square, Boston, Mass., 

I 

Importers and Dealers in all kinds -of ^ 

RARE BIRDS, ANIMALS, REPTILES, ^ 

Sea Shells, Stuffed Birds and Curiosities. \ 



Mr. Chas. Reiche is now located permanently in Europe for the 
purpose of coUc'.cting CANARIES and other European Song Birds. 
Also BIRDS OF PLUMAGE, as well as ANIMALS of ad kinds, 
suitable for ^ 

Zoological Gardens, Menageries and Private Game Parks. 

As we have exclusive contracts with the Bremen Line of Steamers, it 
enables us to keep up our importations very regular, and dealers, as 
well as the general public, can rely on obtaining the choicest Birds, and 
at the Lowest Prices. 



Connected with ouk BOSTON STORE, 

IS A 

Those having Pet Birds or Animals die, and wishing to have them 
preserved in a superior manner, c^n do so by forwarding them to us by 
Express. When sent by strangers, a small remittance or city reference 
must be furnished. 

A good aasortment of STUFFED BIRDS constantly on hand. 



71 



WE HAVE CONSTANTLY ON HAND 



German and French, or Long 
Breed Canaries, 

Bullfinches, Trained and Un- 
trained, 

Nightingales, 

Gold Finches, 

Gray and Green Linnets, 

ChaflBnches, 

Siskins, 

African Finches in variety, 

Java Sparrows, 

Thrushes, 

Black Birds, 

Starlings, 

Mocking Birds, 

Troopials, 

Black Caps, 

English Kobins, 

Sky Larks, 

Wood Larks, 

White Throat, 

Purple Finch, 

Song Sparrow, 



Amanda, or Averdant, 

Bed and Blue Macaw, 

Blue and Yellow Macaw, 

White Cockatoo, 

Red and White Crested Cock- 
atoo, 

Leadbeattle Cockatoo, 

Cockadilla, 

Parrot, Ash Colored, 
" Yellow Headed, 
" Half Yellow Headed, 
" West India, 

Red Crested Parrot, 

Whiskered Parrot, 

Pavouan Parrot, 

Great Green Macaw, 

Great White Cockatoo, 

Great Red Crested Cockatoo, 

Parrakeets, Australian (or Shell), 
" African (or Love 

Birds), 
" West India, 

" South America. 



The following Birds we are constantly buying for exportation. 

Indigo, or Blue-Birds, 
Blue Robin, 
Oriole, 



Red-Bird, or Virginia Cardinal, 
Nonpareil, 



Yellow-bird, 
Blue Jay, 
Meadow Lark, 
Scarlet Tenager, 
Red-winged Starling. 



72 : 

CHAS. REICHE & BRO. i 

Are the Sole Martufacturers of : 

REICHE'S PREPARED FOOD : 

For Mocking and other Soft Bill Birds. ^ 

Also Wholesale and Retail Dealers in 

OAITAEY, EAPE, HEMP, MILLETT AND POPPY SEED. ' 



O jA^ C2r 3B3 @ y 

Gold and Silver Plated, Brass, Bronze, Enamelled ; 
AND Wooden, 

Of all Shapes and Sizes, and adapted to all kinds of Birds. J 

Bathing Dishes, Cups, 

Jars, Fountains, J 

Bottles, Nests, '■ 

Cuttle Fish, Gravel, i 

Perchwood, &e. i 

GOLD AND OTHER FISH, 

Suitable for the Aquaria. Also, ] 

AQUARIAS, FOUNTAINS, GLOBES, &c. : 



The public are respectfully invited to examine our stock. < 

CHAS. REICHE & BRO. 



F. Stegen, Printer. AlfeJd (Hanover). 



